La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 1998

Wine: La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 1998

Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
ABV: 12.5%
Viticulture

The Tempranillo is sourced from the estate's oldest vineyards in the Rioja Alta sub-zone, primarily within the municipalities of Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes originate from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno.
Winemaking

Alcoholic fermentation lasted 14 days, with devatting (descube) four days later under controlled temperatures. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in stainless steel tanks over 39 days. In December 1999, the wines were transferred to seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels for 53 months of aging, being racked using the traditional "barrel-to-barrel" method every 6 months. Lightly filtered before bottling in April 2004. 

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Bright, very clear reddish-ruby with medium depth; luminous. It shows orange highlights and a medium-width copper rim.

 

Nose: Somewhat shy upon opening, struggling to unfurl; it required two hours of bottle aeration before serving. The profile is highly classic and recognizable: brimming with concentrated red fruit, candied orange, clove, pink peppercorn, and Russian leather, with a hint of barnyard and a background that gains presence with smoky notes, cocoa powder, and ultra-soft toasted nuances.

 

Palate: Rich in detail, pure, and elegant, yet it feels as though the "hand-brake" is still on. Powerful and concentrated, it features firm tannins that still need polishing, high-quality bitter notes, and an excellent acidity that fills the entire palate. There is a lot of wine here! Fresh, lively, and spirited (nervioso), with a tremendous structure that feels somewhat "hard" overall. Still in the making and remarkably young. A promising 904 that shows clear signs of an impressive future and shares many common traits with the 890 of the same vintage at this stage. It appears that La Rioja Alta’s wines from this harvest are built for the long haul, possessing that "something" difficult to define that sets them apart. A red to be cellared for many years and revisited every five years. It deserves nothing less.

 

Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Score: 92